Fur Rips the Runway in Fulton Park

One corner of Fulton Park was covered in fur this past Saturday during the 5th Annual Bed-Stuy Pet-Stuy Pet Talent and Fashion Show.

About 23 dogs competed for a first-place prize, which consisted of a gift basket, a free dog training lesson, a medal and a gift certificate to Petco. Three cats competed in a separate, feline-focused contest as well.

“It’s a family event, and it’s a fun event to show that we love our pets here in Bed-Stuy as much as any community around,” said Madeline Smith, the show's organizer.

An hour before the show, dozens of passersby gathered in the park and watched pet owners strut with their dogs and cats. One by one, pet owners arrived holding colorful and stylish leashes. The dogs were in usual form, barking, panting and aggressively sniffing one another.

One of the pet owners, Paulina Subocz of Bed-Stuy, came to the park with two domestic gray short hair cats named Keffy and Garrett. Keffy relaxed and laid under a tree for shade while Garrett stood alert and observant for most of the event.

Aleah “Sunshine” Roberts, a dog owner in Bed-Stuy, brought a six-pack of Pit Bull mixed with Bichon Frise puppies. The puppies were led by their mother Princess, a pearly white pure bred Pit Bull. An Australian Shepherd puppy named Harvard and a 4-year-old Chihuahua named Chi Chi were also among the mass of dog contestants.

After the contestants arrived, the judges met with the pet owners and interacted with the contestants. Francyne Ellison, one of the judges, said she would score the pets higher for costume originality and how well the animal moves while inside the costume.

“Anybody can put an outfit on a dog, but the trick is having their personality match the outfit, the trick is to bring it to life,” Ellison said.

The contestants were house pets who did not have formal obedience training. The judges recognized the lack of training, but still enjoyed petting the contestants just minutes before the show.

“The little ones are hyper so if you can train a little one, that matters more to me,” said Patty Turlowicz, one of the judges.

The two-hour show consisted of three pet parades. During the first parade, the judges scored contestants on each animal’s overall cuteness. The second and third parades showcased the pets’ talents and costumes.

As the contest progressed, more residents gathered at the park. Neighborhood children yelled and crowded the pet runway. Hip-hop music from a local radio station DJ pumped out across the park. Cars roared by. The dog contestants became more rowdy and restless.

The judges waited patiently, but very few pets were able to complete a trick. Even fewer pets wore costumes. Still, the judges leaned toward each other, whispered and deliberated for ten minutes. They decided Princess was the first place winner in the dog category and Garrett was the No. 1 cat.

“Considering all that was going on, Princess was able to come out by herself very obedient,” said the judge Ellison. “And then she was able to make the others come toward her and stand at attention. That’s hard to do.”

Cheryl Bethea, the third judge, called Garrett “beautiful” and “a perfect specimen of a cat.”

Subocz, Garrett’s owner, said this was the cat’s first appearance in a pet show. She was grateful that the judges noticed Garrett’s healthy coat.

“He has a good metabolism,” Subocz said. “He can eat as much as any cat, but he doesn’t gain weight.”

The contest ended in the late afternoon, leaving the pet owners time to socialize with other contestants and to thank Smith for organizing the event.

Elizabeth Griffith, who showcased a 2-year-old Yorkie Poo named Konga who won second place, said that even though Konga didn’t win first place, she was happy Konga had the chance to play with other dogs.

“She’s not a bad dog and she’s pretty,” Griffith said. “Even if she didn’t win, we still had fun.”